Future Star

Ichiro picked up his first ball and bat when he was 3 years old. When he was eight, he insisted he wanted to play baseball and joined a baseball club. His Dad supported him by becoming the manager. It wasn’t good enough for Ichiro because the team only played and practiced on Sundays. He wanted to play every day.
Every day of the week you would find Ichiro and his father outside – playing baseball. They practiced together every single day for 4 years, until Ichiro was old enough to join a team that would give him daily playing time. By the time he was in high school he participated twice in "Koshien" - the National High School Baseball Tournament in Japan.

He went professional as soon as he graduated from High School – racking up honor after honor in his homeland of Japan. He continued to practice just as hard, determined to be the best by doing his best – every day. The Japanese fans responded by making him an idol.

Then a new opportunity presented itself. The Seattle Mariners wanted him. His determination to be the best paid off when the Mariners paid $13 Million dollars to bring him to the United States. Not knowing English, he followed his dream, ignored his fears and came to the United States.

In his first year he was named “Rookie of the Year” and “Most Valuable Player of the Year” for the League. He became an instant sensation.

All the while he kept working hard, focused on being the best he could be, taking nothing for granted. He was where he was because he worked hard. He would continue to work hard.

In 2004 it all came together under the bright lights of the Seattle Mariners' home field when he broke the record George Sisler had held on to for 84 years. He made 262 hits in just one season. Amazing! The fans went wild – both here and in Japan. Fireworks exploded. His teammates mobbed him on the field.
262 hits in one season.

It all began when he was just a little boy, determined to be the best by doing his best. Everyone of us has that choice to make. You might not have the ability, nor the desire, to be a baseball player. But you have a dream. You have something you want to do with your life. You get to choose. Choose to be the best by doing your best!